Solar

Lochgoilhead Village Green

Winter’s cold and soggy grip has yet to be fully released here. The buds are bursting, the bulbs blooming, the birds are busily building, and the biggest bumble bees are buzzing as they warm up on the south facing, white walls of our house. But there’s still plenty of snow on them thar hills, and the drizzly, chilly wind forces exposed arms back beneath layers of fleece and waterproofs. Aside from a few sparkly days where garden chores begin, the rain has been pretty relentless. I’ll soon be in shorts though. I’m Scottish now.

A trip to the southwest of England to visit my beautiful, growing family and to help with even more chores reminded me what warm sunshine feels like. A thousand miles of driving and several full, physical working days reminded me what old age feels like. Back home, I’ve used what’s left of March to take it easy, dream of warmer days, and to consider how to make like a bumble bee and capture some of that south facing sun for ourselves.

We’re going solar.

It’s a big investment, and one that suggests which way the “should I stay or should I go” coin has landed. Sunny side up. This is Scotland, so we’re under no illusions about the potential irony of solar panels here. But after days of research, more than a few confusing quotations, and the addition of a sizeable battery and inverter, we’re hoping to make it work. Even if the numbers shift over time, it feels like the right thing to do. And besides, I get to play with more gadgets.

So not much photography this month, but plans are firming up. The camper van will be heading north soon, up to Torridon, chasing big April sunsets. Perhaps March’s downpours were just April getting its work done early…